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ptc-52177031-Visitor
1-Visitor
April 4, 2014
Solved

Make assembly component transparent

  • April 4, 2014
  • 6 replies
  • 53568 views

Is there a faster way to toggle part or component transparency in assemblies than: Click to select, then from the ribbon menu: Model Display>Component Display Style>Transparent?

As often as parts need to be toggled from opaque to transparent during the assembly modelling process, what I need is 'Transparent on/off' from the right-click cursor menu. Or even better, a hover-over cursor toolbar or menu with a transparent toggle.

    Best answer by Jose_Costa

    The best option is really to record a mapkey for that. But you can simply add that button to your Ribbon or your Quick Access Bar. Much faster way.

    See if my shot video helps you.

    Video Link : 4874

    José

    6 replies

    D
    dschenken1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    April 4, 2014

    You could make a mapkey to do that.

    What is the benefit you are trying to get; what operations are you making parts transparent to get done more easily?

    P
    ptc-52177031-VisitorAuthor
    1-Visitor
    April 4, 2014

    Complicated assembly inside a housing. Need the housing visible for reference, so I don't want it hidden. Need to visualize the components inside the housing and how they interface with the housing. Creating sections through the assembly does not always suffice.

    D
    dschenken1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    April 4, 2014

    You could apply a transparent material to the housing and then set key surfaces to a solid color. Alternatively there are view states that can be set with various components as shaded/wire frame.

    T
    TomD.inPDX17-Peridot
    17-Peridot
    April 4, 2014

    Please review this Document: Combined Views - a quick overview

    It requires some setup but once it is set up, it is tab-selectable from the bottom of the graphics window.

    If I had to do it often enough, I would certainly consider this. Not only for transparent, but also for wireframe.

    It takes a little getting use to the interface and how it interacts with other view management, but in difficult assemblies, it can do wonders!

    J
    Jose_Costa12-AmethystAnswer
    12-Amethyst
    April 4, 2014

    The best option is really to record a mapkey for that. But you can simply add that button to your Ribbon or your Quick Access Bar. Much faster way.

    See if my shot video helps you.

    Video Link : 4874

    José

      T
      TomD.inPDX17-Peridot
      17-Peridot
      April 9, 2014

      Jose... I put the button on the toolbar as you show in the video. Very nice tip for quick access! Thanks.

      S
      SolidPerks1-Visitor
      1-Visitor
      May 23, 2014

      John, I also am transitioning from a competitive productworks , and really miss the UI RMB options. I decided to set up mapkeys, T for transparent & S to return to shaded. We'll see how it works out. At least with a mapkey I can easily program my SpacePilot to use it. I also plan to investigate if/how I can cusomize my RMB menus. Yeah, that won't be easy. With 17yrs of experience on the other CAD system, I'm hard-wired!! After 2 months, I'm still hitting Ctrl-Q when I don't think about it... considering writing a mapkey file to translate one to the other, since I use both now, and consistency would be nice.

      Creo2 is OK so far, but much to adjust to. It's not bad, just different. I'm trying to be positive that I'm learning new skills that might be valuable to my next customer/employer.

      Jose, thanks for posting the video, it helped me find my way around those command screens! Perhaps I'll be good enough one day to provide some answers here. Until then, I'll just keep learning...

      Cheers All

      Dale_Rosema
      23-Emerald III
      Dale_Rosema23-Emerald III
      23-Emerald III
      May 23, 2014

      Just becareful with single key mapkeys since when the combination of keys are activated, the mapkey runs.

      You may be better off with "TTT" and "SSS". Thanks, Dale

      V
      vzak12-Amethyst
      12-Amethyst
      June 11, 2014

      Gentlemen,

      Imho there is no need in mapkeys to fast set component Transparent.

      Select needed component(s), on Ribbon pick Model Display >> Component Display Style >> Transparent. Done.

      Regards

      - Vlad

        Dale_Rosema
        23-Emerald III
        Dale_Rosema23-Emerald III
        23-Emerald III
        June 12, 2014

        That requires a lot more movement of the mouse when you left hand is almost always on the keyboard to begin with. Most of my mapkeys are lefthanded.

        H
        Hidetaka1-Visitor
        1-Visitor
        September 17, 2022

        I have create a script and a mapkey that allow me to make a component transparent by two mouse buttons. 

         

        That function can be assigned to any mouse buttons. For example, you can press the backward mouse button, then left click to make the component transparent.

         

        You can do that with multiple components. 

         

        After that, to quickly make all components not transparent, use a mapkey or a mouse gesture (with automation scripts, any mapkey can be triggered using mouse buttons only, no keystroke needed). The mapkey can be created by recording View -> Display Style -> Default.

        R
        rzukowski13-Aquamarine
        13-Aquamarine
        May 7, 2025

        Here is my mapkey for toggling transparency on and off.  I assigned it to one of the buttons on my Spacemouse.  I can toggle transparency on and off with the same button.

         

        mapkey tr @MAPKEY_NAMEtoggle transparency on/off;@MAPKEY_LABELtransparency;\
        mapkey(continued) ~ Select `main_dlg_cur` `appl_casc`;~ Close `main_dlg_cur` `appl_casc`;\
        mapkey(continued) ~ Command `ProCmdRibbonOptionsDlg` ;\
        mapkey(continued) ~ Select `ribbon_options_dialog` `PageSwitcherPageList` 1 `DisplayLayout`;\
        mapkey(continued) ~ Activate `ribbon_options_dialog` `DisplayLayout.transparency.lay_instance` \
        mapkey(continued) ;~ Activate `ribbon_options_dialog` `OkPshBtn`;\
        mapkey(continued) ~ FocusIn `UITools Msg Dialog Future` `no`;\
        mapkey(continued) ~ Activate `UITools Msg Dialog Future` `no`;

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